Mobile health unit helps families in remote Bosnian villages

Church World Service and

Udruzenje Gradjanki Grahovo (Grahovo Women's Association) (WA)

People in ten remote villages in Bosansko Grahovo Municipality, in Bosnia, are receiving health care through a mobile health unit put together with the help of Church World Service and partner the Grahovo Women’s Association. The unit assists the most vulnerable out of a total population of about 3,000 people in the villages--those who are sick, elderly, disabled, or have chronic illnesses and have no health insurance.

The mobile health unit consists of a doctor, nurse, and at least ten health trainees. The trainees from the ten villages are participating in a five-month course in preparation for their duties. The mobile health unit provides regular home visits to patients along with medical assistance.

Bosansko Grahovo suffered massive destruction during the Balkans war, and despite considerable reconstruction, most villages lack electricity, running water, or access to health services. Employment is virtually non-existent, especially for new returnees.

Grahovo Women's Association, with 400 members-- returnees, displaced, and refugee women-- has worked with Church World Service for more than five years to help improve living conditions and economic independence, particularly for women.

Support for Church World Service helps make this program possible.

Updated 3/31/2008

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